First time boat owner with questions

[GuyMarshall]

I have a Playcraft Hampton with a Mercury 9.9 ELPT Bigfoot Prokicker motor. This is my first full summer of (lake) boating. I've noticed an increase in vibration at lower RPM (<1.5K). Recently, the motor dies out after having it in neutral for a period of time. I changed the spark plugs which didn't seem to help. Where else should I be looking for a cause? Thanks.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: First time boat owner with questions

Move this to the boat motor forum and you'll get more help.

The most common cause of the engine dying after being in neutral for a while is the fuel pump. But it could also be the carbs. The vibration could be linked to a fuel problem at low speeds or a banged up prop.

Welcome to the forum. Check back often

 

[lmuss53]

Re: First time boat owner with questions

With that little motor you probably don't use a lot of fuel. More and more we hear of fuel issues in fuel that sits on the boat for several weeks at a time. My friend has a repair shop and says he is keeping one guy busy all the time with fuel related issues. Two or three rimes in the last 3 years I have had to take all the fuel out of the tanks on my boat and dump it in the tank of my pickup. The truck tank always seems to be able to take the 10 or so gallons from the boat and run it through the truck without issue. The 50:1 premix will run in about any vehicle just fine if you have that. I put fresh fuel in the boat tanks and my idle, performance, hard starting issues go away.

I suggest you try fresh fuel before anything else.

Try to run a tank out or leave it low and top off before next trip. Half a tank that sits for a while seems to attract moisture and all the problems that go with that.

 

[GuyMarshall]

Re: First time boat owner with questions

Thank you EGR. Prop in good shape. Will look into the fuel pump. Appreciate it.

 

[GuyMarshall]

Re: First time boat owner with questions

Thanks for the advice. Will start by running it out. Appreciate the help - G

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: First time boat owner with questions

...these days, it's a good idea to have a water separator installed between the fuel tank and engine......